Wetlands work: SPRout seeks volunteers to help build interpretive trail

By Kristine Thomas 

Ingrid Evjen-Elias understands some people may drive by the entrance of The Oregon Garden and wonder why something hasn’t been done to make the 13-acre area more attractive.

An assistant for SPROut – or the Sustainable Plant Research and Outreach Center – Evjen-Elias has spent many hours working in the Garden’s lower wetlands. 

“This is such a lovely area,” she said on a recent September morning. “It’s a peaceful and quiet spot.”

Eager to share what the wetlands has to offer, Evjen-Elias invites the public to help build an interpretative trail around the wetland ponds. 

Access to the nature trail – which will be less than 1 mile when completed – will be free and open to all community members. 

Portions of the trail have been completed but need additional work. Evjen-Elias would like clubs, service groups and volunteers to help build the trail.

A work day is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5, 1 to 5 p.m. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers are asked to bring their own snacks and water. 

Evjen-Elias said she’s thankful for the many community organizations that have already dedicated time to create the trail including the Silverton High School Environmental Club, Silverton High School Seniors during Silverton Work Day, Salem Rotary Club, Oregon State University W3 – Youth Enviro Squad, Willamette University students and AmeriCorps volunteers.

Neither pesticides nor machines, have been used to create the trail. Hand tools, mulch and newspapers have helped complete more than 50 percent of the lower wetlands interpretative trail. Evjen-Elias hopes the project can be finished this fall. 

Before she began working with SPROut Director Renee Stoops, Evjen-Elias said she knew little about wetlands or how they are used to treat Silverton’s wastewater. The interpretative trail will have signs about the role they play in a functioning ecosystem. 

Evjen-Elias said the trail is a great place to view red-winged blackbirds, wood ducks, great blue herons, killdeer, king fischers and other birds. In the fall, the leaves on the red alder, oaks and alders change colors and the Canadian geese use the ponds as a stopping place on their migration route.

“Wetlands are rich eco-systems with plants and animals,” she said. “I encourage people to take a walk and observe what’s happening in the wetlands.”